Why do some people think that I'm a bad person because I'm an atheist?

Question

I'm an atheist because I think the concept of god/gods is juvenile and ridiculous. There are too many holes in all organized religions for me to take any of them seriously. Most of them seem like glorified mythologies to me.

What I do believe in: I believe that in an ideal world no one would have to pretend. People would just live for today, and try to make the best of it. Why is it that people think they know everything about the "afterlife", but yet they can't see past the end of their own noses?

Somehow, I think calling someone's ideas juvenile and ridiculous is a little bit better than telling someone that he/she is a bad person and will burn in hell.

Answer 1

Amen.....I thank god I'm an atheist. =)

Answer 2

Being a Theist, i guess i can answer your question.

I don't think people would consider you a bad person. An Atheist can be just a good a person as the next Theist of whatever sort.

I believe you are confusing something. Theists see Atheists
(DISCLAIMER: I'm speaking in generalities) as "missing something". I could agree with this. God is a big part of a Theist's life and an Atheist is "missing" it.

There is also one great big generality that is associated with Atheists ( And Theists alike). Atheists are seen as being very liberal, and don't think of the repercussions of their "think about today" mentality. Atheists are also seen as dismissing anything that cannot be explained using logic and reason. But in turn, Theists, namely Christians, are seen (i suppose) by Atheists as being restricted and live for converting Atheists to their religion. Also, Theists are seen as being overly conservative.

To clear the air, not all Atheists (or Theists) are this way. I believe that both should just leave each other alone. In the end, when we all one day lie on our death beds, we will know.

Until then, Theists and Atheists can only continue to either hope and pray, or calculate and reason.

Answer 3

To believers the notion that extremely complicated life forms simply self constructed with no manual or mandate to do so with no knowledge of what is or isn't beneficial is ridicuous and unproven in nature. Nowhere have scientists been able to show that complexity in life forms can accomplish this although they have been trying for years to create the right conditions for this to occur. They haven't even seen a simple protein chain emerge which in itslef is complicated never mind anyting more advanced. On the other hand we ca see that complex machines can be built with help of an intelligent designer/engineer. So there is evidence that intelligence is required to accomplish this sort of task whereas evolution has provided no such known mechanism. And I don't consider atheists incapable of havig morals but rather that they have no known standard by which they can know if they are truly being moral or not. You may be uncomfortable killing someone and I feel the same. But feeling uncomfortable about something doesn't make it necessarily immoral. One person may feel uncomfortable working in a animal slaughter house. I would but I can't say that means it is evil. Becauase the law says killng is wrong doesn't make it wrong. Laws change and how do we know this law is a good or bad law that may change or be practised differently in countries where there laws are at times different then are own. So we see the law in itself doesn't tell us why something is good or evil. The theist can say it is evil because God has said it is evil because it goes agaiinst his nature. But the atheist has no moral absolute to which he can point to and say this is why it is not only wrong for me but for everyone else who's opinion may be different.

Answer 4

most people need something to cling to. Someone/something to blame everything that happens on. Don't worry about what others say about you.
I'm not atheist but as i don't follow any religion, because i don't see that there is a point, i get the same as atheists so i understand what you are going through.
Right now as will most likely always be people believe that they are right and if anyone says otherwise than they are wrong, most don't even make an effort to see from the others point of view.
Feel free to believe what you will, no one has the right to say you're wrong because no one really knows the truth.
Live for Life, believe in what you will.
We are born to die that's it, we don't know nor will we ever know what happens after we die until we die.
But people fear what they do not understand so they cling to anything that explains that is going on, most not caring to find if it is true or not.

Answer 5

I'm a Christian and respectfully disagree with your interpretation of religion, but I have ABSOLUTELY no grounds to judge anyone as "bad". I know what my life was like before I accepted Jesus and the change is the proof that I needed. If I chose to say or judge you as bad due to your beliefs, that would be the ultimate in hypocrisy since I know on my own I'm probably way worse than you are.

Christianity, in its purest form, is about that understanding. There are none good except God. The guy who was inspired to write 2/3 of the New Testament called himself the chief of all sinners.

So that being said, I am sorry you've been unfairly judged. That is not what real Christianity is about.

Answer 6

No, I don't think you're a bad person. In fact you could be a very sweet and loving person. Since I don't know you I can't tell. All I know is that IF you had ever felt the presence of God that you would never feel the same. I feel so bad that you have never had it. It's such a happy feeling and a joy to know Him. I pray someday you will and then you can know why Christians are so strong on things. We don't want anyone to go to HELL. Because you have not experienced Jesus, I can understand your doubts. I had them for 30 years, but, once I did MY life has never been the same. I pray there's still time for you. I don't want the worse person in the world to go to hell. Just something to think about. But I don't dislike you. In fact I will pray for you and pray that the Holy Spirit hasn't removed His spirit from you. Do me a favor, please, IF you ever feel like you are being tugged in some way to learn about Jesus, go to church, or looking for something you just can't seem to find------------don't run. It will be the Holy Spirit knocking on your door. Who knows it could be the last time He ever will. If He doesn't tug at you then it may be too late. This could happen now or months from now. IF it happens--------don't run from it. Learn of Jesus.

Answer 7

I am an atheist too.I believe in good deeds and good thinking.I help people in my own way.I visit hospitals and old homes .....and I spend hours with them.I don't think a person should be judged on the basis of his faith or how frequently one goes to church or how many times a person prays to God(if there is any).
A person has to be judged on the basis of his life style, his good deeds , good habits, his concern for the needy ones, his attitude towards his neighbours, his character in general.I don't think that "God" will be very happy by seeing someone visiting church regularly and praying regularly ; but ; leading a self centred life doing nothing for others and thoroughly corrupt to the back bone.

Answer 8

Your ideas of a perfect world are wonderful but the fact remains Jesus created the Heavens and the earth and will judge everyone accordingly. I've never met anyone, except for JW's, that claim to know everything. Whether you believe or not those who's names are not found in the book of life will be casted into the fire. Praise the LORD.

Answer 9

I don't think atheists are bad people. I do think that many of them are led to atheism due to circumstances in their life. I almost became a non-believer after I had believed due to some very harsh things that happened to me. I'm still in that state ... wondering why I still have pain when God loves me so much. I endure, somehow.

The problem with a lot of atheist theory is that they hinge their argument on religion. Religion is not God. It attempts to be symbolic of God, but religion rarely gets it right. Remember that. And that's coming from a Believer.

Answer 10

That's something i have trouble understanding as well. Why people of faith are often convinced that if someone isn't a "believer" that person doesn't have a direction or good principles.

Is it necessary to fear a certain kind of God to know the good from bad, to care for the Others as brothers and feel this life is miraculous?...

Answer 11

Allow me to be the first to grant you a star. And to answer your question: It's because those religious fanatics find that their belief's are the be all to end all. They are so self absorbed that they don't realize they are actually the monster's that they claim us to be. They've spent so much time chasing after the monstrosity of disbelief that they have turned into exactly that. Now they blindly follow a Book written by MAN, and swear their life's by the word of MAN. Yet, they wag their little fingers at us. . . How truly pathetic ignorance really is.